Scholars of current international politics believe that the recent stampede in the African continent is one of the manifestations of the international conflict in the "post-globalization" or "post-unipolar hegemony" era, as well as one of the repercussions of the war between Russia and Ukraine recently.
Consequently, these effects are seen as the end of a historical stage and the beginning of another in the formation of international relations and interests, especially in light of the Franco-Russian struggle for influence in this continent.
French Army Chief of Staff François Lecointre (left) arrives at the Barkhane base in Mali on the African coast (French)
How did France dominate Africa and extend its influence?
At the beginning of the years of independence for African countries, then French President Charles de Gaulle commissioned his advisor Jacques Focar - who was known as the "architect" of French colonialism - to formulate a new relationship between France and its former colonies in Africa.
Fokar concluded agreements in which France dominated its former colonies, and ensured for it the exploitation of the strategic resources of those countries such as diamonds, uranium, gas and oil, and millions of dollars through projects granted by African countries to about 1,100 major French companies and 2,100 small companies, and it became the third largest investment portfolio in the world after the United States. United States and Britain.
Why is the French retreat accelerating in Africa recently?
France has been exploiting African capabilities without compensation for its peoples, and without incentives for the economies that dominate it, in addition to its failure to keep pace with developments on the African arena and the dwindling of confidence in it and its policies in general:
France's image among Africans has declined and is associated with arrogance carried on the spirit of civilizational superiority, as it still rarely refuses to acknowledge its crimes against African peoples.
The emergence of a new African generation that has nothing to do with colonialism, nor its previous practices, is very liberal and aware of French history in Africa, and the African peoples are weary of the double standards that France uses when it comes to its interests.
The emergence of strong competitors such as China, Russia and Brazil, which have no colonial history in Africa, in addition to their willingness to provide what France did not offer here.
The balance of power has changed due to the international competition for Africa, which provides new partners able to meet its needs without strings attached.
The deep crisis of confidence due to the accumulation and prolonged period of French exploitation of African countries.
Members of the Russian Wagner Forces on a mission to support the security forces in Rwanda (Anatolia)
What are the aspects of Russian-French competition in Africa?
The two sides differ in the way they deal with African countries;
France, despite knowing the countries of the continent more than Russia, the latter, in its new return to this region - seems to have - was keen to access the requirements of success here directly.
The most prominent areas of competition between the two forces are as follows:
African natural resources in which Russian companies have found a way to contract at the expense of traditional allies, and through companies owned by people close to Putin and are active in a large number of African countries (Sudan, Libya, Central Africa, Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo).
Energy: Rosatom Energy has signed agreements with 14 African countries for cooperation in the nuclear field, which extends to the medical and agricultural sectors, including a $76 billion deal with South Africa alone.
The armament and security sector: It is the main Russian entrance to Africa because of the urgent need for it in light of the escalating security threats and the dangers of armed groups that are multiplying day after day, and Russia has achieved great success in it.
Training and Military Experts: Russia has worked through the Wagner company, which disavows it when necessary, but at the same time implements a sophisticated strategy without the Russian government bearing responsibility for its excesses.
Why do African countries ally with Russia at the expense of France?
Africa is going through a period of great transformations - within the international transformations - that require its countries to search for evidence of its authority, and Russia finds its response closest to it.
In less than 10 years, a lot has been achieved for her, for several reasons:
The absence of a colonial history of Russia in Africa - as well as the Russian history supporting the African liberation revolutions in the mid-twentieth century - provided it with a great competitive advantage to employ those relations.
Russia's non-interference in African internal affairs, as Western countries do.
Russia's dependence on cooperation instead of conditional Western aid appears as a force that serves African countries.
Russia cancels 20 billion debts owed by African countries, which Western countries do not dare to do except under specific and harsh conditions.
Russia's rapid response to urgent African needs without complication, particularly in the areas of armaments, training and military consultancy, and without scrutiny on the issue of transparency.
Security forces in Burkina Faso after the overthrow of Colonel Sandaogo, accused of loyalty to France (Reuters)
Where is the fiercest competition between the two parties in Africa?
It seems that Russia’s return to Africa is motivated by a great ambition, encouraged by the welcome it found there to occupy an advanced position in the alliance with African countries, and reinforced by the African hunger for armaments and the fear of the great void, which was evident after the Western retreat in several areas:
The African Sahel region with the historical influence of France, which is the hottest field on the continent now;
Russia has expelled France from Central Africa since 2017, and Mali in 2021, and perhaps close to Burkina Faso, where the French embassy was attacked and Colonel Sandaogo, accused of loyalty to France, was overthrown, as well as in Niger and Chad, which witnessed demonstrations calling for France's exit.
France has lost Rwanda and Gabon since the two countries left the Francophone group and joined the Commonwealth and broke away from French hegemony.
Mozambique, where the Wagner groups have been present since an early age, and despite responding to US pressure, experts believe that the elements of these groups are still there.
How does the Western and Russian conflict extend to Africa again?
According to forecasts from analysts, the world is heading towards another cold war, perhaps this time with multiple poles:
The Russian control of the Crimea was the beginning of the Russian approach to Africa, to lead its conflict with Europe in order to relieve pressure on its forces in Ukraine and to divert European attention to the south.
Russia challenges Western policy in Africa and deals with less stable countries, which are usually dominated by authoritarian leaders and find an open market in them.
Exporting more weapons, which Western countries are reluctant to provide, except through a long list of requirements that most African countries do not meet.
Russia exploits declining confidence in democratic reforms in Africa, encouraging the rule of armies and holding security institutions.
The more the international poles' struggle to lead the world intensified, the more Africa became one of its victims, the theater and the source of fuel for its cold and hot wars.
In the short perspective, it seems that Russia is superior to its competitors, but the lesson is feasibility, permanence, long-term policy and the interests of the African peoples, which will determine the winner from the loser in this continent.